Model railroad electric power supplies and distribution equipment



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. WILHELM MODEL RAILROAD ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT 1965 Jan. 9, 1968 Filed Jan. 23

EL ZL 59 FIG.

Jan. 9, 1968 J. R. WILHELM 3,363,109

, MODEL RAILROAD ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT Filed Jan. 23 1963 3 SheetsSheet 2 L 3L2. hi] 5 FIG. 11 T Ti II- B la. n, 9A Qbbva, I INVENTOR Jan. 9, 1968 J. R. WILHELM 3,363,109

MODEL RAILROAD ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT Filed Jan. 23, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENT OR United States Patent.

3,3634% MDDEL RAILRUAD ELEETRIC PQWER SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBU'I'IBN EQUIPMENT John R. Wilheim, 424 Whitcstone Road, Silver Spring, Md. 20%1 Filed Ian. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 253,419 7 Ciaims. (til. 307-12) The basic object of my invention is to provide a unique electrical power supply for use with the conventional two rail, direct current powered toy train or other moving, track controlled toy or toys such that two or more locomotives or other toys can operate independently on the same track system. It provides a means whereby the current flow in electrically segmented portions of the power rail of the track system can be reversed thereby reversing the direction of movement of the locomotive without reversing the polarity of the entire power supply. In this manner two or more locomotives can be independently operated by individual control devices on the same, though electrically segmented, track system oif of a common power supply.

It is another object of my invention to make it possible to operate train accessories with low voltage direct current power without electrically disrupting the functioning of the rest of the track layout or train operation.

It is a further object of my invention to make it possible for the actuating solenoid of train accessories requiring one or the other positioning to be operated in a more easily understood manner by the attachment of a single electrical lead to the solenoid using direct current as opposed to the conventional two wire connection using alternating current.

In FIGURE I, I show two wiring configurations by which the required direct current electrical power for use with toy electric trains or other toys can be derived from conventional house alternating current and two developments of a wiring technique which provide direction control of the current flow and distribute the electrical energy to single or multiple track sections. It is apparent that either of the proposed power supplies, designated I-A and LB can be attached, as desired, to the potentiometer and distribution systems which are designated I-X and I-Y.

In FIGURE II, I show two variations of a means of electrical actuation of train accessories which are to be used with this power supply. Conventional power supplies for model railroading which use direct current for locomotion use alternating current for actuation of accessories and require separate wiring. One of the variations of this new concept uses two solenoids with opposed windings designated II-F while the other variation employs a single solenoid and requires only one electrical connection, designated FIGURE II-G. They are shown attached to the power supply illustrated in FIGURE LB, here designated as IIB. It is intended to simplify the installation and make more complex track layouts easier to understand.

In FIGURE III, I show a typical track layout illustrating how this new power supply can be used to permit two or more individuals with their own potentiometers to independently control the direction of flow of electrical current in portions of the track layout and opcrate powered accessories without adversely affecting the activity of the other individual or individuals in the control ct other track segments. It combines the disclosures of FIGURES IB, I-X and II-G.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, FIGURE IA illustrates a step down transformer 1 with a primary coil in and a secondary coil 1b whose alternating current output is rectified in a conventionally constructed full wave rectifier 2 to a direct current voltage which is nominally twice the operating value of the toys being ice operated. This direct current voltage is supplied to terminal elements 5a and 5b of an output receptacle 5. These terminal elements 5a and 5b are connected in electrical paraliel with a high load resistance 3 and a capacitor 4 to the discharge points of the rectifier configuration 2, terminal element being connected to discharge point 2b and terminal element 5a being connected to discharge point 2a. Load resistance 3 has a center tap 3a which is connected to a third terminal element 50 of the output receptacle 5. The output receptacle 5 is to be female in construction and is polarized in order that connection to it can be made in only one way.

Turning our attention to FIGURE I-Y in connection with FIGURE I-A, we have a male type polarized connector 6 constructed to mate with the power supply output receptacle 5 in the prescribed manner only. In similar manner it has three terminal elements 6a, 6b, and which, when this connector 6 is mated with the output receptacle 5, make electrical connection with terminals 50, 5b, and 50 respectively. Terminal element 6a is connected to one end he of the resistor 3 of potentiometer 7 while terminal element 6b is attached to the other end 8b of resistor 8. Thus, when connector 6 is mated with output receptacle 5, resistor 8, resistor 3, and capacitor 4 are all in electrical paraliel across the output of the full wave rectifier 2.

The variable tap 9 of potentiometer 7 had the capability of movement from one extremity 8a of resistance 8 to the other extremity 8b. In tihs way it selects a voltage across the full range of the output of the rectifier 2 for transmittal to that rail of the toy track It which has been designated the power rail 10a.

The ground rail iifib of track 10 is connected without switching to the third terminal element 66 of. the connector 6. Thus, when connection is made between connector 6 and output receptacle 5, the ground rail 1% of the track Iii is connected to the mid voltage point 3a of the load resistor 3 of the power supply. Thus, when the system is being operated, the ground rail 1% of the track Iii is held at the mid voltage point of the output of the power supply. When the variable tap 9 of potentiometer 7 is moved to position 8a on the potentiometer resistor 8, maximum current will flow outward to the power rail, thru the electrical load of the engine 11 operating between the track rails and back to the power supply thru the center tap 3a. The voltage will be equal to the full operating voltage of the train and full forward motion of the engine will. ensue.

As the variable tap 9 is moved slowly to the opposite position db on resistance 8, outward current in the variable tap 9 will diminish and the speed of the engine 11 will be reduced. It will pass thru a no voltage point with respect to the ground rail 10b at which point no current will how and the engine is at rest. Current will gradually increase as variable tap 9 continues to move toward point 8b but now inwardiy from the power rail 10a toward potentiometer '7. As variable tap 9 reaches the other end 8b of the resistor 3, the voltage across the engine electrical load 11 is again equal to the full operating voltage of the train, reversed in polarity, and the engine is operating in a full reverse mode. The voltage polarity between the two rails of the track has been reversed without changing the polarity of the supply itself, a fact which is crucial if two or more engines are to be operated independently from the same power supply.

In FIGURE I, combining I-B and I-Y, we have an identical arrangement to that described in diagram LA and I[ except that the ground rail 1% is connected to a mid-point tap 1 2 on the secondary coil lb of step down transformer I as opposed to being connected to the midpoint tap 3a of load resistor 3 in FIGURE I-A.

In FIGURE I-X, I have shown the identical circuitry of FIGURE I-Y extended to selectively distribute the variable voltage of potentiometer 7 to two or more electrically isolated track sections. The power rail Ilia of the traclr it is mechanically continuous but electrically separated 19. Is is important that the ground rail 16!) be both mechanically and electrically continuous.

Each electrically isolated section of the power rail ltla is connected to a single pole-single throwspring disconnect switch 13 which has been wired to distribute the variable voltage output of the variable tap 9 of the potentiometer 7.

In FIGURE II, I show two techniques for actuating accessories requiring this or that positioning which can be operated by the power supply configuration of FIG- URE 1. FIGURE II illustrates both techniques attached to a common power supply, FIGURE II-B, which is identical to the one disclosed in FIGURE I-B.

In FIGURE II-FB, single throw-single throw-spring disconnect switches 1 3a and 131; each distribute one side of the output of the full wave rectifier when connector 6 is mated with the power supply output receptacle 5. In this technique I show two solenoids, one with a clockwise winding 14a and the other with a counter clockwise winding 14b both aligned along a common axis and arranged to actuate a common core device 15 which, in turn, provides the actuation of the associated accessory. Electrically these two solenoids are joined and the junction 16 is electrically attached to the ground rail 1% of the track 10. The opposite end 17a of one of the solenoids 14a is connected to the discharge side of switch 13a. The opposite end 17b of the other solenoid 14b is connected to the discharge side of switch 13b. When switch 13:: is closed, direct current flows to the solenoid 14a moving from point 17a to point 16 and thru the ground rail ltlb of the track back to the power supply. Thus, the actuator core device 15 is moved in one direction until mechanically restrained. Closure of switch 13b causes direct current to flow thru solenoid 14b from point 16 to point 17b causing the actuator to be moved in the opposite direction until again mechanically restrained since, in this case, the windings of this solenoid are reversed.

In FIGURE II-GB, I show a single solenoid 14 with actuator core 15 within the coil. One end of solenoid 14 is electrically connected to the ground rail 10b of the track 10. The other end of the solenoid 14 is connected to the output side of a single pole-double throw switch 18 which is spring loaded to seek a neutral point at rest. In one contact position it attaches electrically to one side of the rectifier output and causes direct current to fiow thru switch 18 toward solenoid 14, thru this solenoid to the ground rail 10b and back to the power supply.

Placing switch 18 in the opposite position causes direct current to flow from the ground rail 1612 thru solenoid 14 and toward switch 18 and thence to the power supply. In this manner actuator core 15 is positioned left or right by use of a single solenoid.

While I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments, I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A toy train power supply for a two rail track system utilizing a step down transformer whose secondary voltage is nominally twice the operating voltage of the electric toy, four rectifiers disposed and connected as a conventional full wave rectifier across the output of the secondary coil of the transformer, a high resistance in electrical parallel with a condenser connected across the output of said rectifier circuitry, said high resistance having a center tap which is electrically connected unswitched to one rail of the track, a potentiometer whose resistance is electrically connected across the output of said full wave rectifier, and whose variable tap is connected to the other rail of the track.

2. A toy train power supply for a two rail track system utilizing a step down transformer whose secondary voltage is nominally twice the operating voltage of the electrical toy, four rectifiers disposed and connected as a conventional full wave rectifier across the output of the secondary coil of the transformer, a high resistance in electrical parallel with a condenser connected across the output of said rectifier circuitry, said transformer secondary coil having a mid-point tap connected un-switched to one rail of the track, a potentiometer whose resistance is electrically connected across the output of said full wave rectifier and whose variable tap is connected to the other rail of the track.

3. A toy train power supply for a two rail track systern utilizing a step down transformer whose secondary voltage is nominally twice the operating voltage of the electrical toy, four rectifiers disposed and connected as a conventional full wave rectifier across the output of the secondary coil of the transformer, a high resistance in electrical parallel with a condenser connected across the output of said rectifier circuitry, said transformer secondary coil having a mid-point tap connected unswitched to one rail of the track, a potentiometer whose resistance is electrically connected across the output of said full wave rectifier and the output of whose variable tap of the potentiometer is distributed thru single throwsingle pole-single disconnect electrical switches in parallel each of which is electrically connected to one of the several electrically isolated sections of the other rail of the track.

4. A toy train power supply for a two rail track system utilizing a step down transformer whose secondary voltage is nominally twice the operating voltage of the electrical toy, four rectifiers disposed and connected as a conventional full wave rectifier across the output of the secondary coil of the transformer, a high resistance in electrical parallel with a condenser connected across the output of said rectifier circuitry, said transformer secondary coil having a mid-point tap connected un-switch to one rail of the track, at least two potentiometers each having a separate resistance electrically connected in parallel across the output of said full wave rectifier and the outputs of the separate variable taps of said parallelconnected potentiometers are each distributed thru a separate group of single throw-single pole-spring disconnect electrical switches in parallel, one from each group being connected directly, to one of the severally electrically isolated sections of the other rail of the track.

5. In an electrical system for operation of track operated toys, the method of operation comprising:

utilizing the full output of a full wave rectifier connected to the secondary of a step-down transformer to produce a DC voltage nominally twice the normal operating voltage required, distributing the output to electrically parallel potentiometers, channeling the output of the variable tap of the poten tiometers to individual electrically isolated sections of the power rail of the track, each of which is selectively energized by means of separate single throw-single pole-spring release switches,

utilizing additionally the full constant voltage output of the rectifier thru selective switching to energize track accessories, and

grounding all power toy equipment to the only continuous rail of the track which is electrically connected directly to a mid-voltage point of the power pp y whereby the current fiow in electrically segmented portions of the power rail of the track system can be individually reversed to change the direction of movement of power operated toys without changing the polarity of the power source,

6. A toy train power supply for a two rail track system utilizing a step down transformer whose secondary voltage is nominally twice the operating voltage of the electrical toy, four rectifiers disposed and connected as a conventional full wave rectifier across the output of the secondary coil of the transformer, a high resistance in electrical parallel with a condenser connected across the output of said rectifier circuitry, said transformer secondary coil having a midpoint tap connected unswitched to one rail of the track, a potentiometer whose resistance is electrically connected across the output of said full wave rectifier used to control the speed and direction of the moving equipment, two solenoids, mechanically arranged in tandem having a common axis and a common actuating core which can be mechanically linked to accessory equipment to provide this or that positioning, said two solenoids being electrically connected in series across the output of said full wave rectifier, one being wound in a clockwise direction and the other being wound in a counter clockwise direction, each connection to an output terminal of the full wave rectifier being interruptable by a single pole-single throw-spring disconnect switch, the electrical connection between said two solenoids being also connected to a mid voltage point of the power supply thru the ground rail of the track.

7. A toy train power supply for a two rail track system utilizing a step down transformer whose secondary voltage is nominally twice the operating voltage of the electrical toy, four rectifiers disposed and connected as a conventional full wave rectifier across the output of the secondary coil of the transformer, a high resistance in electrical parallel with a condenser connected across the output of said rectifier circuitry, said transformer secondary coil having a midpoint tap connected unswitched to one rail of the track, a potentiometer whose resistance is electrically connected across the output of said full wave rectifier used to control the speed and direction of the moving equipment, a single solenoid whose actuating core can be mechanically linked to accessory equipment to provide this or that positioning, one side of said solenoid being selectively electrically attached to the two output terminals of said full wave rectifier thru a single pole-double throw-spring disconnect switch, the other end of said solenoid being electrically connected to the mid voltage point of the power supply thru the ground rail of the track.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,179,063 4/1965 Case 2381() XR 3,075,705 1/1963 Vilhelrn 104-148 XR 3,061,973 11/1962 Oberdorf 104-l50 XR 2,965,044 12/1960 Johnson 307-2 XR 2,869,064 1/ 1959 Portail.

2,270,697 1/1942 Clark 321-8 XR 3,091,708 8/1937 Gilson 32059 2,994,804 8/1961 Skirpan 307 XR 1,908,336 5/1933 Fleming 32,18 2,248,370 7/1941 McTaggart 321-s 2,872,879 2/1959 Vierling 104149 3,024,739 3/1962 Smith et a1. 104-149 2,502,149 3/1950 Hageman 246-440 2,615,125 10/1952 Peabody 246-236 2,101,446 12/1937 Mansten 338171 2,620,419 12/1952 Sharenow 338108 ORIS L. RADER, Primary Examiner.

J. SHANK, T. J. MADDEN, W. E. DUNCANSON,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A TOY TRAIN POWER SUPPLY FOR A TWO RAIL TRACK SYSTEM UTILIZING A STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER WHOSE SECONDARY VOLTAGE IS NOMINALLY TWICE THE OPERATING VOLTAGE OF THE ELECTRIC TOY, FOUR RECTIFIERS DISPOSED AND CONNECTED AS A CONVENTIONAL FULL WAVE RECTIFIER ACROSS THE OUTPUT OF THE SECONDARY COIL OF THE TRANSFORMER, A HIGH RESISTANCE IN ELECTRICAL PARALLEL WITH A CONDENSER CONNECTED ACROSS THE OUTPUT OF SAID RECTIFIER CIRCUITRY, SAID HIGH RESISTANCE HAV- 